Australia, Countdowns
camping by moonlight

Five More of the Best Australian Camping Spots

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A few weeks ago I put together what proved to be a pretty popular piece on five of the best Australian camping spots, highlighting such Nitmiluk’s desert canyons and the alpine wonderland that is Kosciuszko National Park.

Over Christmas, my brother bought his long term girlfriend a tent and it got us daydreaming about leading a more active and outdoorsy life. Couple that with my mother and I reminiscing over the caravan trips of my youth and my recent pledge to participate in a Year of Microadventures (below), and you’ve got a recipe to get the ol’ creative juices flowing.

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Whether you wish to wake up in an island paradise or beneath the canopy of age-old trees, Australia is a country spoiled for choice when it comes to idyllic camping destinations. While the options truly are endless, here are five (more) of the most awesome Australian camping spots.

The Whitsundays, Queensland

If you fancy waking up to the sound of waves gently lapping a pristine beachfront and a view of azure water framed by crystal white beaches and lush green trees, then the Whitsundays are a magnificent spot for your camping trip. Reached by boat from Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Island boasts a series of camping sites managed by Queensland Parks and Recreation. Permits are required to camp there and you need to bring your own supplies, ensuring what is taken in is removed at the end of your visit to this sensational national park.

As open fires are not allowed, you will also need to take your own gas or fuel barbeque. There’s a host of options at specialist camping stores such as Barbeques Galore and you can check out their website (www.barbequesgalore.com.au ) for more information.

Whitsundays beach
Behind Tasmania, the picturesque Whitsundays are arguably Australia’s most famous islands. Photo by Mark Wassell.

Menindee Lakes, New South Wales

I recently wrote about a NSW Outback Road Trip, and in doing so was reminded of my earliest camping memory – a family weekend on the shores of the famous Menindee Lakes. Holding three times as much water as Sydney Harbour when full, the Menindee Lakes make for a beautiful backdrop whether full to the brim or a parched crater in which birds and animals migrate from diminishing pool to diminishing pool.

menindee sunset
A stunning Menindee Lakes sunset. Photo courtesy of Travel Australia Online.

When the water level is up, the Menindee Lakes make for great fishing and canoeing – and it’s a relatively safe Outback camping location that is easily accessible from Sydney (albeit a lengthy train ride).

This one is for true roughing it enthusiasts, with most campsites being bare as bones. The proximity to nearby Menindee makes supply runs easy, and the best part? Camping here is free!

Devil’s Kitchen Camping Ground, Victoria

Boasting Australia’s most magnificent “loo with a view,” Devil’s Kitchen Campsite is a walk-in site and one of seven along the world-renowned Great Ocean Walk. The walk boasts some of the most spectacular views in Australia, including the 12 Apostles.

There's something striking about Australia just 'coming to an end' so abruptly along the Great Ocean Road.
There’s something striking about Australia just ‘coming to an end’ so abruptly along the Great Ocean Road. Photo by Sherman Geronimo-Tan

With driving the Great Ocean Road being such a popular tourist activity, why not take it at a more leisurely pace by camping as you make your way along the Great Ocean Walk instead? Photographic opportunities abound, and you’re quite likely to see some of Australia’s iconic wildlife as you camp.

Camp sites need to be booked two weeks in advance and are only suitable for 2-3 person tents with group numbers limited to 12. If camping with your car is more your style, there are drive-in camping options in the vicinity as well.

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia

If watching the sunset over the water is on your bucket list, Lucky Bay at Cape Le Grand in WA is a must-do. Located 40 minutes from Esperance, the campsite is a beachside haven accessible by car and featuring hot and cold showers, running water, gas barbeques, and toilets – perfect for those wishing to try their hands at galmping!

There's serenity to be found in spades at Lucky Bay.
There’s serenity to be found in spades at Lucky Bay.

 

In spring, the surrounding Heathlands are awash with colours as wildflowers grow, but all year round you can explore the scrub and the towering granite cliffs that surround such imaginatively named bays as Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove.

The area features 5km of pristine beachfront and calm waters, with 25 individual campsites that accommodate tents and camper trailers.

Mt Field National Park, Tasmania

Home to a series of lakes, spectacular waterfalls and a diverse range of vegetation, Mt Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s most popular national parks. On a dry continent like Australia, waterfalls are something of a special treat, but Mt. Field National Park has them in spades.

Horseshoe Falls... just beautiful! Photo by Ben Ashmole.`
Horseshoe Falls… just beautiful! Photo by Ben Ashmole.

 

Boasting the temperate ‘four season’ year that is hard to find in other parts of Australia, you can see the hills aflame with colour in the autumn or even engage in a bit of skiing in the winter. Nature enthusiasts have a playground of Aussie flora and fauna at their fingertips, and cavers will find that there are plenty of caves to explore beneath the heavily wooded hills and cliffs.

The park features an array of campsites, many of which have amenities, hot and cold showers, washing facilities and cooking areas.

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No matter what outdoor experience you seek or where in Australia you fancy visiting, it’s not hard to get off the beaten track and into the great outdoors. The biggest decision you need to make is just how far you’ll go.

Your Say

I’ve given you ten of my picks for the most unique camping sites in Australia, but I’m sure I’ve overlooked a few. What would you recommend?

Australia

Flavours of Country Australia: Part One

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Flavours of the Country

When it comes to the discussion of Australian cuisine (a rare conversation topic to begin with, if we are being honest); so much of the focus falls on either the few iconic recipes (pavlova, lamingtons, Tim Tams, and Vegemite to name a few) or on the undoubtedly impressive food scenes that are constantly evolving in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

With the exception of backpackers looking to earn their second year visa by doing a little farmhand work or WWOOFing, precious few visitors to the great southern land make it inland to rural Australia – where life goes on largely unmoved by Australia’s international reputation as a tourist hotspot.

It’s a real shame. Ah I’ve highlighted in my posts about the NSW Outback and the New England region, there’s a wealth of quaint charm and interesting history to be found in rural Australia.

And, believe it or not; there’s some pretty fantastic food and drink to be found too.

Want to know more about Australia’s best food? Click the link for a wee taste.

In the first part of what will hopefully be an eye opening and waistline expanding tour of rural Australia, I’m highlighting three brands doing their part to bring lulu try flavour to the masses.


New England Brewery, Uralla

Uralla is not a town without considerable charm. As the hub of all things Captain Thunderbolt, Uralla’s proximity to nearby Armidale also made it a popular ‘road trip’ to visit the Top Pub and strike out with different girls.

In my absence, the town has gone ahead and started the New England Brewing Company. While I’ve not yet had the pleasure of visiting (hint hint, management), I’ve had their beers on a few occasions while visiting the very groovy Welder’s Dog in Armidale. With a brown, golden, and pale ale as well as seasonal flavours to sample, it’s good to see local beer taking away some shelf space from the likes of Tooheys and VB.

Just a sample of the delicious being brewed by the New England Brewing Company. Photo from their Facebook page.
Just a sample of the delicious being brewed by the New England Brewing Company. Photo from their Facebook page.

The brewery also operates as a bar on weekends, and tours of the brewery can be arranged by getting in touch via email or by giving them a call. I imagine you can also get in touch via their Facebook page, or their Twitter.

Beer being locally brewed. It's beautiful. Photo from Facebook.
Beer being locally brewed. It’s beautiful. The beer, that is; not this chap. Photo from Facebook.

Not that they need my publicity; they’re already available in bars across the state and have even taken over the taps in Sydney. That said, if they’d like me to come visit, I’d be open to it…


Super Strawberry, Glen Innes

You know, I drove by this Glen Innes icon every day for six years while in high school, but I only actually stopped off at the roadside attraction in the last few months.

Surrounded by the strawberry patches that fuel the smoothies, strawberries and cream, and other scrumptious treats that draw in weary travellers from the New England Highway, the Super Strawberry is part cafe and part boutique boasting condiments, snacks, and knick-knacks from all over Australia. My youngest brother even did all of his (admittedly last minute) Christmas shopping there.

 

The Super Strawberry just oozes quaint country charm.
The Super Strawberry just oozes quaint country charm.

A very accessible stopping off point for those touring the New England or just passing through on their way to or from Brisbane, their strawberry shakes are to die for. Don’t let their GeoCities style website put you off, it’s definitely worth a look.

Bald Rock Beef Jerky, Tenterfield

A town most famous for its annual Bush Poetry a Festival (another in my to do list), Tenterfield is livestock country like so many other towns in the area. With all this good quality beef available. It’s a bit of a surprise that it took so long for somebody to decide to make beef jerky.

bald rock beef jerky
The suckers don’t know what they’re in for! Photo courtesy of Bald Rock Beef Jerky Facebook page.

I first heard of Bald Rock Beef Jerky when Dan, the man behind the brand got in touch and sent me some beef jerky to sample while I was living in China. It’s perilously hard to get good quality meat in China, so I leaped at the opportunity to get a little taste of home.

Sadly, the Chinese postal service didn’t share my enthusiasm; but I finally got my hot little hands on some when I got home. Sampling both the smoky original and the “just right” level of heat in the chili, my brothers and I all agree that it’s a winner.

 

bald rock beef jerky 3


My post China diet has also enjoyed the low calorie and therefore guilt free snack, and now that I’m out I guess it’s time to head over to Tenterfield to pick up some more or order some online. For those reading abroad, you can get your hands on some without a lengthy trip to rural NSW. Bald Rock Beef Jerky ships worldwide and has great, low flat rates.

Your Say

Do you have any foodie favourites lying undiscovered or under-appreciated outside of the city? I’d love to hear about them!

Are you a country business specialising in good food or drink looking to get your name out there? Contact me and let’s spread the word!

Aussie on Safari, Tanzania

Chasing the Big Five on Safari in Tanzania

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On Safari in Tanzania

A close up of a warthog as it forages in Ngorogoro.
An adorable serval cat hunts insects in Ngorogro Crater.
A hippo doing its trademark yawn in a pool by the Serengeti Four Seasons.
Another shot of the leopard as it surveys its domain from its treetop roost.
A lioness sleeps under a tree to escape the scorching Serengeti sun.
A lonely hyena is spoiled for choice by the impala surrounding him.
A herd of mama and baby elephants graze in Tarangire.
A friendly hornbill chilling out at the Tarangire picnic area.

What Are The “Big Five”?

Back in colonial times where erudite British gentlemen didn’t have iPhones and nightclubs to entertain them, big game hunting in the wilds of Africa was a pastime of considerably less universal derision than it is today. Many believe that the ‘Big Five‘ describes the five largest animals in Africa, but in those less sophisticated times, the term ‘Big Five’ was used to describe the five hardest African animals to hunt on foot. For those playing at home, the members of this illustrious hit list were:

  • African Leopard
  • Lion
  • Cape Buffalo
  • Elephant
  • Rhino

While (thankfully) it is less common for these beautiful (and in some cases, endangered) animals to be hunted with impunity; many tour companies now use the ‘Big Five’ tag to attract people wishing to see all of these animals. In November of 2014, it just so happened that I got the opportunity to accompany Shadows of Africa on a four-day safari that included the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Better still, we managed to spot all five and hunt them with cameras and selfie sticks at the ready.

Tarangire: Lions and Elephants

The first day of our safari saw me, Lisa of LL World Tour, and Robert of Leave Your Daily Hell packed into the 4wd with our trusty and knowledgeable driver, Timo. That may just be the strangest abbreviation of ‘Timothy’ I’ve ever encountered.

Tarangire’s dry and dusty plains surround a single river, but the sheer abundance of wildlife within the park was just jaw-dropping.

One of the countless zebra I snapped photos of while they ate by the roadside.
One of the countless zebra I snapped photos of while they ate by the roadside.

In a show of utter safari naivete, we spent a disproportionate amount of time photographing zebras, giraffes, and impala. By day four, we didn’t even bat an eyelid at such pedestrian fare. Strange how quickly we went from slack-jawed to ambivalent.

Our first encounter with one of the Big Five saw us come face to face with a wounded male lion who had sought refuge under a tree by the road. Our truck lurched to a halt as we passed within a metre or two of the magnificent animal. It showed its utter disdain for our gawking by slinking off into the savanna with only an occasional look back over its shoulder at us.

A wounded male lion slinks away from us.
A wounded male lion slinks away from us.

To have come so close to the animal was just awe inspiring. Only a few scant metres (and the car itself) stood between us and one of the most beautiful, dangerous hunters on the planet. It was a humbling experience.

Later that day, bellies full after our monkey harangued lunch; we would come across a herd of female elephants and their young as they ambled with disinterest across our path. So indifferent to our presence were they that one elephant even ventured up to within a few feet of our car to snatch mud from a puddle and splash itself (and us) to keep cool.

This female elephant came up to our truck to play in the puddle we were parked in.
This female elephant came up to our truck to play in the puddle we were parked in.

Serengeti: Leopards

In both hunting and tourism, the African Leopard is the hardest of the Big Five to catch in the wild. Solitary and largely nocturnal, leopards are both beautiful and elusive. They also happen to be my absolute favourite animal. You can imagine my utter joy when we came upon one sleeping high in a tree with its recently killed impala dinner wedged somewhere above it to keep it safe from vultures and hyenas.

The sleeping leopard wakes to regard me with disdain from his lofty perch.
The sleeping leopard wakes to regard me with disdain from his lofty perch.

We spent a thrilling twenty minutes gazing at and photographing the beautiful beast, and I could have spent a great deal more time. My photos don’t even begin to do justice to just how beautiful this big cat is. Our day also included another elephant encounter, and this one was thrilling in an entirely different way.

Where Tarangire had offered up females and their young, the Serengeti saw us come face to face with a bull elephant who was none too pleased at our presence. With ears flashed out he advanced upon us not once, but twice – eventually prompting our driver to put his foot down and get us the hell out of there.

Danger! Danger! This bull elephant let us know in no uncertain terms that we weren't welcome.
Danger! Danger! This bull elephant let us know in no uncertain terms that we weren’t welcome.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Cape Buffalo and Rhinos

Our final day on safari saw us descend into the otherworld Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Hemmed in on all sides by sheer cliffs, the Conservation Area is every bit as alive with life as the more famous Serengeti. Herds of impala, wildebeest, and zebras; flocks of flamingoes; and an abundance of hippo wallowing in the water made our day’s exploration a real treat.

A hippo doing its trademark yawn in a pool by the Serengeti Four Seasons.
A hippo doing its trademark yawn in a pool by the Serengeti Four Seasons.

We started our day coming face to face with a couple of grazing Cape Buffalo. Considered the most dangerous animal in Africa by some, the Cape Buffalo is placid enough when encountered in a herd – but gets a kind of superhero strength when cornered or frightened.

A Cape Buffalo on its own can fend off an entire pride of lions

Timo informed us with grave certainty. With their cow-like appearance, it’s perhaps easy to consider them nothing but harmless herbivores, but their sheer size makes them much more daunting when encountered up close.

Hard to believe the Cape Buffalo is such a dangerous animal as it munches on ferns by the road.
Hard to believe the Cape Buffalo is such a dangerous animal as it munches on ferns by the road.

As our day wound towards its end, it looked like we wouldn’t get to see the final member of the Big Five. Over-hunting has made the African Rhinoceros even harder to spot when on safari, but we were lucky enough to catch the barest of glimpses of a pair as they foraged for food about a kilometre from where we’d parked. It wasn’t the up-close look we’d have liked, but zoom lenses allowed us to at least snap a couple of photos to complete our collection.

A rhino grazes in the distance in Ngorogoro. As close as we got, sadly.
A rhino grazes in the distance in Ngorogoro. As close as we got, sadly.

And the rest

Our four-day safari saw us come into contact with all manner of weird and wonderful animals. Whether they were the commonplace (zebras, wildebeest, and impala), the iconic (giraffes, hyenas, hippos, and vultures), or the more unusual (serval cats, dik-diks, wildebeest, and monkeys) – Africa offered up such a wealth of memorable experiences and sheer beauty for us on our four day visit.

Inquisitive giraffes rubberneck at us as we drive back to civilisation.
Inquisitive giraffes rubberneck at us as we drive back to civilisation.

So in love with the whole experience was I, that I’ve since accepted a job working with Shadows of Africa as their Australia & New Zealand consultant. Not only does this have the perk of getting me the occasional trip back to Africa to do it all over again, but the privilege of helping other people discover just how moving a safari experience can be.

Next time, I’ll have to try my luck at finding the Little Five.

And the cheetah that eluded me this time around.

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Want to see more amazing photos of Tanzanian wildlife? Check out LL World Tour’s fantastic Tanzanian safari photo essay!

Your Say

What animal would you most like to see in the wild? Have you ever been on safari and ‘hunted’ the Big Five yourself?

Australia, Travel Daydream

A NSW Outback Road Trip

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The Road Trip Obsession

It probably seems odd that a guy who doesn’t drive is so damned obsessed with road trips, but there’s something about the allure of the open road and the freedom it represents that has always really spoken to me.

Like so many nomads before me, I’m drawn to the idea of having no more responsibility or role to play in the ‘real world’ than riding its roads, stopping in at its diners and cafes, and taking in the wonders it has to offer.

Or maybe it’s because as a child we lead a rather nomadic existence that saw us living all over the state and commuting to the coast to see family a few times a year. During these years of wandering the sometimes dusty and often isolated roads of rural New South Wales, I was lucky enough to call the NSW Outback home on two occasions: spending two years in Menindee and a year and a half in Tibooburra.

Living out in Australia’s parched red centre was an experience I remember vividly even though I was only eight or nine when I last called it home, and it’s some of these beautiful and often hauntingly isolated places that I highlight today.

Getting on the Road

With its sheer size and the fact that both public and aerial transport are quite expensive, Australia is a country just begging to be driven around. Whether you already own a car or you’re looking to buy a second hand car for your road trip, all that separates you from seeing a side of Australia that very few visitors do is a sense of adventure and a little inspiration.

That’s where I come in…

Highlights of a NSW Outback Road Trip

I’ve highlighted a few of my favourite places from my time ‘out west’ for you below, but be sure to visit Visit Outback NSW if you’re looking for further inspiration or information.

Broken Hill

A bastion of civilisation amid the stark beauty of the desert, Broken Hill is often called the ‘Silver City’ due to its history as a silver mining town. One of the few places in NSW to observe South Australian time rather than NSW, Broken Hill is a fascinating fusion of the trappings of a modern, western country and the rough and tumble ways of the Australian Outback.

It is here, where iconic films such as Mad Max 2 and Priscilla Queen of the Desert were filmed that you can see both the prosperity mining brought to the town and the long shadow it casts to this day. The city of  20,000 is truly an oasis in a very harsh environment, with its parks and cafes in stark contrast to the towns and wastelands that surround it.

Broken Hill street
In some parts of Broken Hill, mining literally does cast a shadow. Photo sourced from Broken Hill for Real.

Whether your interests run towards colonial history, mining, the stunning scenery, or the quaintness that is a city isolated in both time and place – visiting Broken Hill is, in my eyes, a must to see the ‘real Australia’.

Silverton

Located just a short drive from Broken Hill, Silverton is a small town boasting quite a few reasons why it is worth inclusion in your road trip plans. Whether you’re interested in seeing the curvature of the world while gazing out at the plains or want to visit the Mad Max Museum, this town has something to offer any visitor.

A real tourist hotspot out in the desert, there are options for kids and adults alike – museums, camel rides, shopping, and the arbitrary dinky di (authentic) Aussie pub as well.

Tibooburra

For many Australians, they know Tibooburra as ‘that place that gets the state high on the weather’ – an isolated and often sun baked little town in the very north western corner of NSW.

More a pit stop on your Outback road trip than a destination, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to be seen in this sleepy little desert town. It’s pubs and storefronts speak to more prosperous times, and the town’s drive in theatre is one of the few remaining in Australia. A National Parks Museum and other dusty but charming landmarks exist to occupy your time while you refuel your vehicles and stretch your legs.

My childhood home in the area backed on to the aptly named Sunset Hill Lookout – a tumble of giant’s marbles (known as Tors) that affords a truly breathtaking view of the town as the sun turns the trademark red of the desert to a motley of purple and crimson.

Maybe my enchantment with the town comes from my memories of a harsh but rarely dull life in the area, but I think any Outback road trip would be improved by a stop in Tibooburra; if only so you could see where a young Aussie on the Road did his thing :-p

The iconic red of the Aussie Outback is in evidence throughout the region.
The iconic red of the Aussie Outback is in evidence throughout the region. Image courtesy of Tourist Maker.

Cameron’s Corner

If standing in three states at once is your thing, Cameron’s Corner is a quirky outback attraction that might be worth the visit. Located on the axis where Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia meet – Cameron’s Corner is both pitstop (boasting a corner store, mechanic, and petrol station) and attraction.

Where else in the world can you play a round of golf that spans three states and three time zones?

Milparinka

A much younger Aussie on the Road had his very first date in this haunting little ghost town in the middle of nowhere.

After my family had been trapped by rising flood waters, we sought shelter in the town’s pub and I was dragged hand-in-hand out beyond the skeletal remains of buildings for a picnic with a girl I thought was terribly beautiful. I couldn’t tell you her name now, but I do remember my heart doing little flips when she grabbed my hand and pulled me back from the edge of the swollen river.

She wore makeup. I think I was in love.

The former Mount Browne Post Office cuts a lonely figure against the endless blue sky.
The former Mount Browne Post Office cuts a lonely figure against the endless blue sky.

While I can’t guarantee such formative experiences for every visitor, there’s something special about the sleepy little watering hole that exists near the ruins of a genuine ghost town – Mount Browne. Taking a walk through the husks of what had once been a mining community is an opportunity to walk with the ghosts of Australia’s past, and the restored Milparinka Heritage Precinct gives you a juxtaposition through which to compare it.

White Cliffs

Australian opals are renowned across the world for their startling beauty and range of colours, so why not visit a genuine opal mining settlement as part of your trip? Lightning Ridge might be better known, but I’ve got fond memories of taking a family holiday to White Cliffs’ famous underground motel.

You read that right: a hotel cut into the very heart of the Australian outback where you can escape the heat without having to leave the comforts of civilised living behind.

Above ground, the solar panels glitter and the claim entrances dot the white landscape like hundreds of oversized ant-holes. Some liken it to a moonscape while others compare it to some kind of post apocalyptic settlement carved into the rock, but either way it’s a sight to behold.

Like another world, the pock-marked surface of White Cliffs is something to see.
Like another world, the pock-marked surface of White Cliffs is something to see.

Sturt National Park

The largest national park in New South Wales, the Sturt National Park is known for the ambitious explorer who risked his life to survey the country’s harsh interior.

A vast, empty space of sand dunes, mesas, and rocks – the Sturt National Park is stark in its beauty, and far from lifeless. If the spring rains are favourable, the desert is briefly transformed into a field of wildflowers, and year round you can spot some of Australia’s iconic wildlife right alongside animals and plants you’ve probably never heard of.

From the towering red kangaroo to herds of emu cutting across the dunes to venomous snakes and hardy lizards, it’s about as close to going on safari as you can get on Australian soil.

Menindee

Another former home of the Aussie on the Road, Menindee is located quite close to Broken Hill and is perhaps most famous for the lakes that surround it. When they’re full, the Darling River fed foursome hold more water than Sydney Harbour and become a mecca for fishing and watersports.

Australia doesn't do lakes often, but when we do...
Australia doesn’t do lakes often, but when we do…

Even when dry, the Menindee Lakes are still something special to behold. The bony fingers of trees reach up into unbroken blue sky while below the clay slowly dries and cracks.

Menindee itself isn’t a town full of tourist attractions, but its proximity to the Menindee Lakes and its historic significance as part of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition makes it worth a look.

Bourke

“To know Bourke is to know Australia“, said famous Australian author, Henry Lawson. So isolated is Bourke that ‘out back o’ Burke’ has become a phrase used to describe isolation.

While not as far west or even as isolated as some other cities in the region, Bourke is one of the more tourist friendly stops on an Outback road trip. Located along the route of the Darling Run (a route following the Darling River south), there are plenty of tours, cruises, and attractions to give visitors a better understanding of Outback Australian life.

You can check out Visit Bourke for a better idea of what the town has to offer. All I remember of it was answering ‘Yes’, when somebody called out to a Chris other than me. How dare they!

Wilcannia

Once Australia’s third largest inland port (don’t ask me what the larger ones were), Wilcannia is another example of a town built in prosperity and now existing in the sleepy twilight that comes afterwards.

The otherworldly Sturt's Desert Pea.
The otherworldly Sturt’s Desert Pea.

It’s heritage buildings speak of a time when paddle steamers made their way up and down the Darling, and settlers from all over the world rushed to be a part of Australia’s prosperity. It’s also a great place to see the alien Sturt’s Desert Pea in bloom, and ideally located as a day trip from Broken Hill.

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Now that I have my very own spiffy Yakima roof-rack to add some much needed storage space to the family car(s), I’m hoping I can convince a sibling or three to tag along for a road trip later this year!

Failing that, I’ll need to get my own car.

And a license…

Your Say

Have you ever taken an Outback road trip in NSW or another Australian state?

Have you had the pleasure of visiting one of these isolated but beautiful towns?

What is an often overlooked part of your own country that more people should explore?

Australia, Countdowns

Gambling in Australia

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An Australian Tradition

It might not be quite as well known as Australia’s love of sport, the beach, and an ice cold beer – but Australians love to gamble as well.

There’s a long history of ‘having a flutter’ in Australia. From the abundance of ‘pokies’ (video slot machines) in Australian pubs and clubs to the recent rise in the popularity of online gaming sites such as Full Tilt and it’s competitors, there’s no shortage of Aussies willing to splash a little cash in the hope of winning big.

Like all things, gambling is something that can be enjoyable, but must also be done in moderation. While a visit to Australia certainly doesn’t need you to gamble, there are a few uniquely Australian spins on the pastime that can certainly be enjoyed without breaking your bank.

Melbourne Cup

By far Australia’s biggest horse racing carnival and one of the few days of the year where many people bet, the annual Melbourne Cup is the culmination of the Spring Racing Carnival and brings the entire state of Victoria to a standstill as people don suits & fancy hats, overindulge in drinks, and gather to watch the most exciting few minutes of horse racing they’ll likely ever witness.

2013 Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup Day is a state holiday in Victoria, but all states come to something of a standstill for the race in early November of each years. Many workplaces hold office sweepstakes or schedule afternoons out to watch the race at a restaurant or pub, and even the busiest of supermarkets is likely to enjoy a few minutes of quiet as the race is called over the radio.

I’m not much of a gambler (and definitely even less of a horse racing enthusiast), but even I throw a couple of dollars on the horse with the funniest name every year in the hopes it’ll pull out a miracle win and contribute to my travel fund.

Hitting the Pokies

I recently completed my RCG (Responsible Care of Gambling) certification here in NSW, which is a day long course explaining the laws surrounding gambling in the many pubs and clubs in my home state with video poker machines. While some of the statistics made for grim reading, I’d be hard pressed to find a friend who hasn’t from time to time fed a couple of coins into these ever present bundles of lights and sound.

Las_Vegas_slot_machines

With most bars, pubs, and registered clubs (not to be confused with night clubs) in Australia boasting at least a few of these machines, having a bit of a flutter has become a regular part of many a night out for Aussies.

Australian Casinos

If you’ve been to Las Vegas or Macau, don’t set your standards quite so high when visiting an Australian casino. With only a few casinos scattered across the country, these establishments are impressive without ever quite matching up to the iconic sights you’d expect to find along the famous Las Vegas strip. Australian casinos exist in a middle ground between the out and out decadence of the Bellagio and the seedier charms of a Fremont Street casino.

A big part of this is the prevalence of the aforementioned ‘pokies’ (short for video poker machines), but it’s also a bit of a cultural difference as well. The demand just isn’t there for entire cities devoted to casinos.

That being said, a night out at The Star, Jupiters, or Crown can be a unique and eventful evening. With casinos not being the norm, they make for a unique way to celebrate a birthday or bachelor party – boasting restaurants, live entertainment, sports bars, and the obligatory gambling as well. An evening suited up or wearing your finest cocktail dress, sipping expensive cocktails, and trying your luck on the blackjack table or roulette wheel is definitely a change from the Aussie bar and night club scene that I can attest to.

Two Up on ANZAC Day

Illegal on every other day of the year, ‘Two Up’ was a popular game among Australian and New Zealand soldiers during their lengthy campaigns abroad in World Wars I and II. A relatively simple game in which a neutral party flips two pennies and competing players bet on whether the coins will land both heads up, both heads down, or a mix; it is only legal to play the game on ANZAC Day (April 25th) or in a few of Australia’s casinos.

It’s not the kind of game you’d play often anyway, but it’s a fun tribute to the many Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who lost their lives in the defense of Queen and country in the so-called ‘Great Wars’.

Gambling Responsibly

I don’t want to be seen to be actively promoting gambling as a pastime. While it’s something I indulge in on one or two occasions a year at most, I understand that there are those who suffer seriously from gambling addiction. I believe it’s certainly possible to enjoy gambling in a responsible and moderate way without it getting out of hand. If you are going to have a punt in Australia, there are a few tips I’d recommend abiding by.

  • Set yourself a spending limit and do not exceed it.
  • Do not gamble alone. Make it a social activity.
  • Avoid drinking and gambling. Alcohol reduces inhibitions that might usually stop you before things get out of hand.
  • Take a break. Don’t indulge in marathon gambling sessions. Taking a break reminds you of the time and allows you time to clear your head.

If done responsibly, participating in Australia’s gambling culture needn’t be something to completely derail your trip. It’s no different than indulging in alcohol – perfectly acceptable if you do it in moderation.

Your Say

Have you discovered any interesting or unique gambling traditions in your time abroad?

Do you ever participate in gambling while you travel?